Dreekius Johnson, also known as "Rollie," was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting on March 8, 2015, in Orlando, Florida. The incident occurred around 4 a.m. on Southland Boulevard near South Orange Blossom Trail. Johnson, 28, was found dead in the driver's seat of a Jeep at a stoplight. The shooting also left NFL running back Chris Johnson and another man, Reggie Johnson, wounded.
Both Chris and Reggie Johnson were outside the vehicle when deputies arrived, having sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The three men had attended a concert at Lux Nightclub earlier that night.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office described the attack as "targeted," although the exact motive and intended target remain unclear. An unknown vehicle pulled up behind the Jeep at a red light and opened fire. Despite the targeted nature of the attack, no arrests have been made, and the shooter remains at large. The investigation has not revealed any suspects or led to any significant breakthroughs.
Dreekius Johnson had a criminal record, including convictions for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, burglary, robbery, and drug possession. He had spent nearly four years in prison for these offenses and was released in 2009. In 2013, he faced additional drug charges. Despite his past, friends and family mourned his death, expressing their grief on social media.
Chris Johnson, who was also injured in the shooting, had a pending criminal case at the time for carrying two semiautomatic handguns. He was charged with a misdemeanor for open carrying of firearms. Following the incident, Chris Johnson expressed his gratitude for the support and condolences he received and looked forward to recovering and returning to training.
The case remains unsolved, with the Orange County Sheriff's Office continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The lack of witnesses and clear evidence has made it challenging to identify the perpetrator and bring them to justice.
